Hello everyone. Before we get into the bulletin, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the shocking events in Huntingdon. Our thoughts are with all those affected, and we extend our deepest thanks to the train staff and emergency services who responded with such courage.

Last week brought a major development for the future of our railways: the Transport Secretary introduced the Railways Bill, a long-awaited step towards establishing Great British Railways (GBR). This marks a significant milestone in the journey to create a more integrated, accountable and community-responsive rail system, one that better serves people and places.

Alongside the Bill, the Department for Transport published its Accessibility Roadmap, setting out a welcome suite of commitments to make rail more inclusive and accessible for all. We have published briefings on both pieces of legislation – read here.

While we’re encouraged by references to local decision-making and community involvement, we recognise that the Bill is a key first step, and there is still much to shape. At Community Rail Network, we are working hard to ensure community rail is understood, respected, supported and embedded in the new rail landscape.

We’re actively engaging with the Department for Transport, Shadow GBR, DfTO, Network Rail colleagues, and other policy-makers to make the case for community rail’s role in ensuring the railway is locally rooted, socially inclusive and responsive to community needs. Last month we had a constructive meeting with DfTO’s chair and policy lead, discussing how we can lay strong foundations now for developing community rail’s role; we’ll be building on this in the weeks ahead.

As the Railways Bill moves through Parliament, we’ll be closely monitoring its progress and preparing our response, particularly ahead of the Committee Stage, where detailed scrutiny and amendments will be considered.

The Bill also highlights the important role of Mayoral Combined Authorities. We’re now working at pace to set up a members’ webinar to explore with you how community rail can engage with regional leaders, influence transport planning and ensure community voices are heard in shaping rail and integrated mobility. More details to follow in the coming weeks.

If you have questions or would like to discuss our policy work further, please contact Sarah C and Rob.

Best wishes,
Jeremy and Jools

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AGM and board elections

Thank you to those who attended our AGM. We were delighted to publish our 2024-25 Impact Report and welcome Faye Keane and Paul Goddard to our board, with Marion Atkinson re-elected.

Travelling with Confidence

We’re sad to be saying goodbye to Sally Whitehead, who is leaving us later this month. Sally has expertly coordinated our Travelling with Confidence programme, funded by Motability Foundation. Since January, five CRPs partnering with 40 community organisations have engaged almost 600 disabled people, cocreating 147 empowering travel skills activities and 43 train journeys. We look forward to more CRPs being awarded grants to join us in developing this work. Interviews are currently being conducted for Sally’s role. 

Networking for station adopters

We are holding an online interactive learning and networking session for station adoption members on Wednesday 26 November, 2-4pm. The session will cover types of station projects and permissions you might need, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and connect with each other. Book your place.

Winter tourism and leisure campaign

Scenic Rail Winter will run 1-14 December, featuring your stunning seasonal photography, plus ideas for short walks, indoor attractions and days out by rail. Download the digital toolkit here, and share your photos, links and suggestions with our comms team by 5pm on 26 November.

Education Network

The next Community Rail Education Network session is on Wednesday 19 November, 10-11am. Platform Rail will be showcasing the work they do. Contact Karen to attend, and access resources and recordings from past meetings here.

Help us showcase community rail’s impact for Railway 200

We’re gathering examples of community rail activity to highlight the movement’s contribution to Railway 200. Please email our comms team with the number of activities you’ve delivered and how many people, schools or community groups you’ve engaged, as well as any footage or images, by 5pm this Friday (14 November).

Send your stories to our Comms team and see our guidance on submitting stories.

Your next bulletin is on 26 November. Keep up-to-date in between on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky and X.

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• Tourism Network on tour: members take a fascinating trip to Marston Vale CRP
• CRL supports Railway 200 exhibition train at Blackpool North Station
• Isle of Wight CRP celebrates community creativity and railway history in new book
• Railway 200 celebrations abound at Dorchester West Station
• Singalong celebrates 60 years of ‘The Sound of Music’ at New Malden Station
• Stocksfield becomes first Tyne Valley station to host Platforms for Change group
• Community volunteers recognised for brightening up Greater Anglia stations
• Manchester and Sheffield ‘Steel Cotton Rail Trail’ featured in The Guardian
• Hereward CRP runs Railway 200 ‘poetry train’ between Peterborough and Ely

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• Community rail invited to connect with Campaign for Family Friendly Trains
• Book your tickets: ‘Inspiration’ is coming to Llandudno, London and Southampton
• Mural at London Waterloo Station celebrates 200 years of railway romance
• Great Western Railway becomes first train operator to achieve autism-friendly award
• Campaign for Better Transport sets out four priorities in refreshed Strategy
• Centre for Cities explores impact of city regions integrating public transport
• Sign up for UK’s biggest health and wellbeing movement developed for rail
• Make a sustainable switch to the school run with Bikeability’s Bike Bus guidance
• Short documentary explores stories and experiences of pioneering Muslims in Rail